... if you are not going to beat anybody?
I pretty much want to go. I am close to NQTs in a few events (I know I can swim some events even if I don't make time). But looking at past results, swimming the QT typically puts you in the lower 1/4. Looking at the schedule, I'd end up swimming the slow heats of one event, 2 if I make time, a day.
Is the overall experience worth the cost of the trip?
(I did lurk in all last year's Nationals threads, but I'd like to hear it all again. :) )
Here are some initial thoughts:
Cultural
Heard Museum (http://www.heard.org/): best for Native American history/culture. If you're done swimming and they're cooking up fry bread, get it and enjoy!
Museum of Instrument Museum as Paul mentioned above
Scottsdale Galleries (www.scottsdalegalleries.com) -- a wide mixture of styles and easily walkable with loads of restaurants and watering holes to stop into
Phoenix Art Museum (http://www.phxart.org/) -- art-lovers have told me this was better than they expected. Maybe their expectations were lower thinking that we're some desert outpost.
Hiking
My favorite "visitors trail" is Pinnacle Peak (www.pinnaclepeakpark.com/) because this trail gets you out of the city, has great natural scenery and is moderate. Chris, this would be perfect for your parents. About 45 minutes from Kino.
If you do this mid-morning and want a greasy burger in an old western outdoor setting, head over to nearby Greasewood Flat for lunch (www.greasewoodflat.net/).
Phoenix Mountain preserve (phoenix.gov/.../hikphgud.html) has a great mix of trails for differing abilities/desires. The most popular (but not easy) is Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak), basically a stair climber to one of the best view points in the valley. By May, you'll probably want to hike this early. About 30-35 minutes from Kino pool.
Camelback Mountain, as mentioned.
South Mountain Park (www.phoenixasap.com/south-mountain-park.html) has endless miles of hiking for all levels and desires.
Eat at the Farm at South Mountain (www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com/) when you're down in this area.
Nature
I'm not a huge fan of our zoo (the habitats are sometimes so good for the animals that you can't see them!), but it's about 20 minutes from the Kino pool and will allow you to see a lot of the desert animals that you normally wouldn't see back east or up north.
If you love desert landscaping and cacti, the Desert Botanical Garden (http://www.dbg.org/) is practically next door to the zoo and a great place for a stroll.
Oh yeah, if you've got energy left and want to get a head start on your long course training, come swim Monday morning at Cactus Pool at 5:30am with one of the greatest Masters Coaches in the country, Laura Winslow!
If you're actually interested in this, better PM me around the meet to see if Laura's going to be there Monday morning. She's working much of the Nationals meet, so she might have a substitute coach.
I made some restaurant recommendations here: U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums - View Single Post - 2011 Spring Nationals - Mesa, AZ.
PM me with any specific things you're interested in and I'll do my best.
Without stepping on Pat and Paul's feet, there is a lot to do and see around ASU, including Frank Lloyd Wright's last commission, the Grady Gammage Auditorium. Close and easy to walk. Almost all of the rest of my suggestions would be 35 years old.
As much as USMS Nationals is our prestigious championships each season, it offers so much more than high level competition.
There are hundreds of my friends I only see in person once or twice a year at Nationals. I LOVE it and have never had a disappointing time at one of these meets!
And people I have never seen at a meet or workout, show up on deck to support their swimmer or participate in relays. It's wonderful.
The dinner gatherings after the meet each evening are a social mingling highlight.
You can count on a huge venue with lots of places to meet each other or sit for a quiet chat - or a pre-race meditation. If you need advice on anything swimming, there are experts all around the pool deck.
USMS and their clubs don't throw a bigger party than the National Championships!
(add Paul & Laura Smith into that mix and it is a guaranteed great time)
Posted the registration link on my Facebook page... the hardest part is deciding what to swim!
www.usms.org/.../
... if you are not going to beat anybody?
Because it's fun to go, hang out with people.... and with big teams like mine, hang out with your friends and teammates.
Just wanted to update. I still really want to go, but I am waffling.
So, I have decided to put my fate in my performance in the Valentine's Meet I'm swimming.
If I feel good in my 4 events (50 Fly, 100 IM, 50 BR, 100 BR) and my times have not gotten worse, I am going to go to nationals.
Well, I had a pretty good meet. Day 1 was great. I dropped my 100 IM by 1.58 (didn't quite break 1:10) and dropped my 50 Br (LCM conversion) by over 2 seconds.
Day 2, I warmed up too early, and there was a delay, and I felt myself tightening up, swam a little until I felt good, but had a tight 50 fly. Cruised it, only breathed twice, was hardly out of breath at the end, but could not turn on the jets and went .5 off my best. 100 Br, I also felt a little tight at the beginning and went out too slow but still beat my best by 1.6.
I just have to make the flights work, and I'll be there in the slow heats at nationals. Now to map out a training plan (and figure out how to properly warm up at a long meet). :applaud:
I just wanted to say that the online registration for Nationals was one of the best laid-out and easiest to use online forms ever. Super that all my member info was auto-filled and all the options were right there and easy to understand.
See you in Mesa.
I just wanted to say that the online registration for Nationals was one of the best laid-out and easiest to use online forms ever. Super that all my member info was auto-filled and all the options were right there and easy to understand.
See you in Mesa.
Have fun! When you find out how great it is, we'll plan on seeing you in Greensboro next year.
Have fun! When you find out how great it is, we'll plan on seeing you in Greensboro next year.
Hoping to go, and hoping to move up a few heats by then too!
